Photo of Abhijit  Rath, Ph.D.

Abhijit Rath, Ph.D.

Instructor of Molecular Oncology
Academic Office Location:
Center for Molecular Oncology
UConn Health
E1032
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-3101
Phone: 860-679-8836
Website(s):

Center for Molecular Oncology

Facilitating CRISPR based functional genomics approaches, Modulation of DNA double-strand break repair to enable precision gene editing, Investigating mechanistic basis of mismatch repair deficiency, Genetic basis of early-onset colorectal cancer

Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
B.VSc. & A.H.Orissa University of Agriculture & TechnologyVeterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
Ph.D.LSU Health ShreveportBiochemistry and Molecular Biology

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
PostdoctoralUConn School of MedicineGenetic Predisposition to Colorectal Cancer

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
Full Scholarship for the “Workshop on 3D Genome Mapping Technology-ChIA-PET”The Jackson Laboratory
Carroll Feist Predoctoral Research FellowshipLSU Health Shreveport
Outstanding Biochemistry Graduate Student Award (Second Place)LSU Health Shreveport
First Place in Ray A. Barlow Excellence in Cancer Research Award in Barlow SymposiumLSU Health Shreveport
Jason A. Cardelli Award for Excellence in Cancer ResearchLSU Health Shreveport

My current research focuses on modeling Lynch syndrome (LS) associated DNA mismatch repair gene variants in human embryonic stem cells using CRISPR-Cas gene editing. We aim to gather variant specific functional data to better inform the clinical diagnosis and stratification of LS patients. 

Over the course of the last few years, we have optimized CRISPR based genome engineering to serve as a highly efficient tool to site-specifically incorporate genomic single nucleotide variant change. We aim to improve the throughput of this powerful reverse genetic approach for large scale functional genomics studies and lessen the existing technical constraints. Specifically, we aim to explore novel methodologies to improve homology directed repair outcomes for CRISPR-Cas induced DNA double-strand breaks. 


We also aim to study the putative genetic modifiers of mismatch repair by modeling them in human cells and functionally evalutate them for preservation of mismatch repair function.


 

Journal Articles

Title or AbstractTypeSponsor/EventDate/YearLocation
A calibrated cell-based functional assay to aide classification of MLH1 DNA mismatch repair gene variantsTalkThe International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumors (InSiGHT)2022New Jersey